Governor Proclaims Day to Celebrate Stories of Recovery

ALBANY, NY (05/10/2010)(readMedia)-- On Monday, May 10, 2010, surrounded by hundreds of supporters of New York's Recovery Movement in the Well of the Legislative Office Building, State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo will honor New Yorkers in recovery from addiction and commend those who have stepped forward to share their stories of strength and hope through the state's Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com.

"It is an honor to be leading the state dedicated to ensuring that inspirational stories of recovery are heard, acknowledged and applauded," said Governor David A. Paterson. "Today is a day for many to celebrate victory over addiction, as well as a day for those still struggling to reach out and get the help they need to lead better lives, to become contributing, responsible members of their families and communities. The Your Story Matters campaign is testament to the pride and dedication of the New Yorkers it represents."

"Your Story Matters is about real outcomes: the living stories of recovery that have the power to improve lives, save families, rebuild communities, and offer hope to the 2.5 million New Yorkers and the 23 million Americans suffering from alcoholism, chemical dependency and gambling addiction," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "The hundreds of individuals who've shared their stories at www.iamrecovery.com battled the chronic disease of addiction and won, and I applaud their strength and determination to choose recovery and seek healthy lives. Today, we honor them."

In January 2009, OASAS launched the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com to help raise awareness of the chronic disease of addiction; combat the stigma wrongly-associated with substance use disorders and problem gambling addiction; and promote the message that prevention is proven, treatment works and recovery is real. The campaign website offers its viewers the opportunity to read hundreds of inspirational stories, written by individuals in recovery and those who have been affected by another's addition and recovery; view heartfelt videos of the campaign's spokespeople; obtain recovery resources; and submit their own stories expressing the power and possibility of recovery.

"The individuals who give Your Story Matters a face and a voice are unique, but they all share a common quest for a better existence, to regain productive lives in the community and reunite with their family members," added Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "Many of them reclaimed in recovery what addiction had taken away-sons and daughters-and, in honor of Mother's Day, this is a fitting celebration of their accomplishments."

In addition to the mission to collect and showcase inspirational stories of recovery, Your Story Matters selects 12 individuals every year to be spokespeople for recovery and for the campaign. The 12 campaign "spotlights" are an integral piece of the Your Story Matters campaign, offering a face and a voice to a unified, consumer-driven Recovery Movement in New York.

Senator Thomas P. Morahan will recognize Your Story Matters Day by presenting a resolution on the Senate floor. On the Assembly floor, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, will introduce the Your Story Matters campaign spotlights to the Assembly members.

"I am honored to take part in this special day celebrating the countless New Yorkers who are living stories of long-term recovery from alcoholism, drug abuse and problem gambling," said Senator Morahan. "The individuals sharing their stories at www.iamrecovery.com are helping to raise awareness of the disease of addiction and an understanding of the limitless possibilities of a life of recovery-reuniting with family; having a stable job and safe housing; leading a healthy and productive life. I applaud those in recovery who are sharing their stories because every story matters; every story can help save a life."

"As legislators we must ensure that services for the prevention, treatment and recovery from alcohol, chemical dependence and problem gambling are available for individuals and their families who continue to battle these addictions," said Assemblywoman Paulin, who was recently appointed Chair of the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. "I am continually inspired by the stories I hear from the courageous people who are sharing their experiences as part of the Your Story Matters campaign, and I am delighted to honor them on Your Story Matters Day."

Individuals in recovery may be mothers or fathers, sisters or brothers, CEOs or secretaries. They are different faces on different journeys bound together by a common goal. They may be in recovery from illegal drugs, prescription drugs, gambling, or alcohol. But they all stand together as proof of the reality of recovery. Many are welcomed back into the lives of their loved ones; obtain stable employment; become contributing members of society; find health and happiness again; and all have a story to tell that just might be another person's hope.

Eight of the 12 spotlights from this year's campaign will share their stories Monday at the Your Story Matters Day event:

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Buffalo, N.Y., 20 years in recovery: "I applaud Governor Paterson and Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo for their leadership and commitment to raising awareness of this disease, eliminating the unwarranted stigma and championing the importance of a life of recovery. The Your Story Matters campaign makes sense-I have utilized the stories of others to support my own sobriety for decades. And now I share my story as an example to others. If speaking publically about my story of survival helps just one person, I know I have done the right thing. So be proud of who you are today; be proud of your struggles and your accomplishments because recovery is a celebration."

LaQuanda Edgefield, Bronx, N.Y., 3 years in recovery: "My story is about second chances. I entered treatment young, lost and pregnant wanting nothing more than a better life for my unborn child. Today I celebrate with her, for her. Addiction left me with nothing, but recovery has given me back more than I could have ever dreamed. Know that there is help, that there are people who love and care for you, and that a second chance can always be granted."

Randy Hill, Buffalo, N.Y., 14 years in recovery: "After abusing alcohol for 31 years, I am proud to say today that my story is about freedom. I am an alcoholic who has not had a drink since Fathers' Day 1996. I like to think I was given a spiritual awareness. We are all spiritual beings having a human experience, a notion that has allowed me to forgive myself for all the harm I placed upon my children throughout my addiction. Recovery gave me back my children. Now, when asked how I am doing I respond, 'BETTER than nothing' because for 31 years I believed I was 'LESS than nothing.' Recovery is a journey, not an event so please remember that falling down is not failing, staying down is."

Amber Saccoccio, Kingston, N.Y., 2 years in recovery: "My story of recovery is about strength; it's about learning to accept me for me. I cannot change my past, but I can learn from it and make the right choices now, one day at a time, so that my future shines bright. I recently spoke at the Ulster County jail to share my story with the inmates. The responses were amazing-like I had really made a difference in their lives-and listening to their feedback, listening to their stories actually helped me! But I guess that's exactly what they mean by, 'you must give to get.' That experience reminded me of where I was and where I never want to be again-it kept it green for me. I hope that other young men and women will read my story at www.iamrecovery.com and be inspired to stay strong."

Pastor Angel Zapata, Brooklyn, N.Y., 20 years in recovery: "There are so many words that can be used to describe recovery, but for me love is where it's at. Addiction wasted so many years and filled me with so much hatred until I finally gave in to the love of God, and in turn found love in myself and the world around me. Have faith in yourself, have faith in God, and love will fill your heart and guide you on your path of recovery. I am now a proud father and husband who, without recovery, would never have known this great love. Recovery brings healing not only to individuals, but to families."

Joyce Barrett, Syracuse, N.Y., 20 years in recovery: "Recovery has given me back 'myself.' In the grips of my addiction, I was no longer Joyce-I was just the compulsive gambler. I did not care if I lived or died. Today, I care about myself and others. Your Story Matters has given me the opportunity to share my story of caring which, in turn, continues to help me stay abstinent from gambling. As a campaign spotlight, my support net has become bigger than I ever imagined! Knowing that my story has the power to help others find or sustain recovery from gambling addiction, gives me such hope for a better world."

Monroe Wesley Parrott, Albany, N.Y., 28 years in recovery: "I share my experience, strength and hope so that others can better feel, deal and heal. Who would have thought that a former inmate would retire from the state Department of Corrections? And that my story of healing would change the lives and reverse the ills of criminal thinking in hundreds of the formerly-incarcerated? Before I took, and now I'm giving back. Taxpayers used to pay for me, and now I am a taxpayer. Addiction took my family from me, but recovery gave them back. After many years of hard work in rebuilding the trust of the daughters I had once abandoned as an addict, I now have a grandchild who was born on Obama's inauguration day! That is the power of recovery."

Joan Hajjar, Brooklyn, N.Y., 17 years in recovery: "I share my story of gratitude to inspire others. I encourage those still suffering to seek recovery, and I do my very best to lead by example a life for which my family and I can be proud. It takes a great multitude to end the stigma attached to individuals living with addiction. If my story serves as a mirror in which people see a reflection of themselves leading them to change for the better and lead productive, victorious lives, then I have succeeded."

Juan Martinez, Bronx, N.Y., 3 years in recovery: "It has truly been an honor and privilege to have been selected as one of this year's spotlight speakers for the Your Story Matters campaign. I never realized how many of us are in recovery, or know someone in recovery. Recovery is what I wake up to in the morning when I look at my recovery wall, and it is what I carry with me as I lay down to sleep. I remind myself every day that no matter what happens to me today, nothing is too deep to make me pick up again. Recovery is a long journey of self-awareness and self-discovery; it's about being a better person and never losing sight of your potential."

"These incredible people, these moving stories are the real outcomes of recovery," added Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "They are proof that addiction happens to the best of us, and that so, too, does recovery," added Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "There is hope; there is help. Prevention is proven, Treatment works and Recovery is real."

The individuals who choose to share their stories at www.iamrecovery.com represent the future and reality of the state's Recovery Movement - they are the hope, inspiration and proof that recovery is happening every day in New York and beyond. Through these stories of healing, second chances, gratitude, and potential, New Yorkers can walk proudly, in celebration of recovery, in a society that welcomes their achievements.

The Your Story Matters campaign exhibit will be on display at the State Street entrance of the Legislative Office Building from May 10-12.

By carrying the messages of prevention, treatment and recovery, these stories can reach the 2.5 million New Yorkers still affected by drug, alcohol or gambling addiction. If you are the friend or family member of someone in need of relief from a substance use disorder or a problem gambling addiction, please call the state's toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day a week HOPEline, 1-877-8-HOPENY, staffed by trained clinicians ready to answer your questions, help refer loved ones to treatment and provide other vital resources to facilitate that first step into recovery.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day. Through efforts such as the Your Story Matters campaign at www.iamrecovery.com, the agency hopes to foster a movement of recovery, one that sheds the stigma and promotes a life of health and wellness.

For more information, please visit www.oasas.state.ny.us.

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